The Westminster Confession of Faith

Westminster Assembly

Produced by the Westminster Assembly for the great Parliament, this time-honored treasure of the faith bears striking resemblance to the Irish Articles, but is far abler, fuller, and superior to any of its predecessors, and gives proof that the Assembly was steadily dominated by its aim to state nothing therein which is not expressly taught in the Word of God, or derivable therefrom by good and necessary reference.

Section 3

3. Church censures are necessary, for the reclaiming and gaining of offending brethren, for deterring of others from like offenses, for purging out of that leaven which might infect the whole lump, for vindicating the honour of Christ, and the holy profession of the Gospel, and for preventing the wrath of God, which might justly fall upon the Church, if they should suffer His covenant, and the seals thereof, to be profaned by notorious and obstinate offenders. (1 Cor. 5, 1 Tim. 5:20, Matt. 7:6, 1 Tim. 1:20, 1 Cor 11:27–34, Jude 23)